Type to search

Sennheiser MD 46 Microphone Review

Share

Microphones have been used to capture a variety of different sound sources. In fact, just name the sound source and you’ll probably find a microphone that’s been created just to record it. Having specialized tools is important if you want to capture your audio perfectly, but in many cases, the appearance and build of your unit are just as important. In today’s Sennheiser MD 46 microphone review, you’ll see just how important all of these factors are in a handheld microphone.


About the Sennheiser MD 46


Sennheiser MKH 416 Microphone

Polar Pattern

Cardioid

Frequency Response

40-18,000 Hz

Output Impedance

350 ohms

Min. Terminating Impedance

1000 ohms

Sensitivity

2.0 mV/Pa

Output

XLR-3

There are about as many microphone types as there are jobs for microphones. However, if you’d have to name a classic, you’d probably talk about the handheld mic. While we’re more used to singers holding up microphones to belt out high notes, handheld microphones have also been cemented in history through other industries like newscasting and interviews.

A good handheld microphone helps bridge the gap between the speaker and the audience, and is perfectly tailored to capture the human voice. Sennheiser has proven itself as one of the top microphone manufacturers in the world, so let’s see how well the Sennheiser MD 46 holds up.


Sennheiser MD 46 Pros


See more product details on Amazon.

Handheld microphones are an especially important asset for filmmakers, newscasters, journalists, and documentarians. While they’re probably not as compact as a Lavalier mic, they’re more versatile as they’re easier to move between sound sources. Let’s take a look at some of its features below.

A Build You Can Count On

The role of handheld microphones is a little bit different from your run-of-the-mill microphone. For one, visuals are pretty important: handheld microphones are often used by anchors and newscasters, and are often selected for their professional look and how they hold up on camera.

The Sennheiser MD 46 follows in the same vein: a simple, classic barrel and head design that’s built with that Sennheiser durability. It’s around 250mm (10 inches) in length, with an all-metal body that can hold up to bumps and scratches. Originally developed for the 2000 Summer Olympics, it’s now available to the market at large for around $200.

Tailored for Speech

The Sennheiser MD 46 is a classic cardioid microphone. Generally, its off-axis rejection is solid, and it’s a great mic for outdoor use. It’s also tailored for human speech, allowing you to capture the human voice with richness, clarity, and detail. This adds more life to your interviews no matter where you are, and even using multiple mics in the same location produces the same tonality.

However, at extremes its performance can differ according to frequency: at higher frequencies, the audio field becomes increasingly more restricted, while at frequencies below 1kHz, the field tends to widen.

Focused and Ready

While there are situations when an omnidirectional microphone can shine, it can be hard to capture with focus, especially in outdoor settings. With a cardioid polar pattern, the Sennheiser MD46 has better background noise rejection, allowing you to pick up on the sounds that really matter.

In addition to that, Sennheiser has designed the MD 46 to have low handling noise and wind noise. This is thanks to its double-layer grille basket, which protects the capsule from unwanted noise. It’s also designed to reduce the chances of pops, which can be especially troublesome in live recording situations.

A Real Performer

Ask anyone, and they’ll probably tell you the same thing: recording live is, by far, more troublesome and stressful than recording in a studio. There are so many things that can go wrong, from technical difficulties to outside interruptions to background noise muddying the sound.

If you work in journalism or newscasting, you need a microphone that’s reliable. That’s what the Sennheiser MD 46 is for. While it’s not the most advanced model out on the market, it’s designed to make recording and reporting live seamless and painless. With the MD46, you don’t have to worry about falls, handling noise, or whatever else: the Sennheiser design has already taken care of it.


Pros and Cons of the Sennheiser MD46

ProsCons
✔ Amazing sound quality
✔ Great background noise reduction
✔ Rich voice reproduction
✖️ Slightly heavy

What People Are Saying

On the whole, Sennheiser has produced microphones that are simple, effective, and efficient. The Sennheiser MD 46 is no different. A handheld microphone that debuted on the world stage in the 2000 Summer Olympics, its popularity has endured for 20 years thanks to its quality, efficiency, and reliability.

There may be other microphones out on the market with more wireless capabilities and other features, but the Sennheiser MD 46 is a tried and tested piece of equipment. If you want a microphone that you can trust will hold up to the test of time and weather, then the MD 46 is it.

“Amazing recorded some stuff for the bmi awards. i was blown away at the quality. The mic was ran through avalon 737 with some basic reverb in pro tools and thats all that was really needed. its a great buy for amazing vocals with out much needed mixing.”


Reviewer – Patrick From Sweetwater

Where to Buy the Sennheiser MD 46

Sennheiser has produced dozens of quality microphone models. It’s clear that the MD 46 can be added to the list. With a durable all-metal case, a design that allows you to record with focus, and a sound that’s rich and detailed, the Sennheiser MD 46 is pretty much a winner in our books. Find the best deals for the Sennheiser MD 46 Microphone here.


Sennheiser MD 46

The Sennheiser MD46 establishes itself as an exceptional choice for those seeking astounding sound quality and impeccable noise reduction.

Its ability to minimize background noise ensures that the speaker’s voice remains the focal point, while its rich voice reproduction capabilities capture every nuance and emotion with finesse.

The MD46 exemplifies Sennheiser’s commitment to delivering audio perfection, offering a transformative experience for professionals in broadcasting, interviews, and public speaking.

Sound Quality
9
Design
9
Features
8
Price
8

Summary

The Sennheiser MD 46 is a classic cardioid handheld microphone that's proven its worth in front of cameras all over the world. With a durable all-metal casing, double-layered metal grilles, and low handling noise, it's one of the best and most reliable options for newscasting and interview microphones.

Total Rating

8.5
Naomi Feller

Originally from the East Coast, Naomi started singing as young as 3 years old. In her early teens Naomi made some embarrassing YouTube videos before settling on a love for Podcast editing. When she's not pouring over endless amounts of audio, she lends her expertise to us here at Shout4Music with her crystal clear and finely tuned microphone reviews.

  • 1